Jews in Modern Europe Study Group

Is There "Muslim Antisemitism" in France and Germany?

Associate Professor; Justin M. Druck Family Scholar, Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism in the Borns Jewish Studies Program, Indiana University Bloomington

March 11, 2019

4:30pm - 6:00pm

Hoffmann Room, Adolphus Busch Hall

Antisemitism is not new in France and Germany and has existed since before both countries had relatively large Muslim minorities. In recent years, however, Muslims in these countries have become a new group of perpetrators of violence against Jews, in addition to incidences of antisemitism originating from the political right and left, as well as everyday antisemitism in mainstream society. Survey data and statistics indicate that Muslims are disproportionally more likely than non-Muslims to harbor antisemitic sentiments and to act upon them.

In this talk, Günther Jikeli will give an overview of the available data and explore factors that might explain this discrepancy. Data shows that discrimination against Muslims in these countries and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - both very real problems - are not the source of hatred of Jews among Muslims. Historical, cultural, religious, ethnic and nationalistic factors, often reinforced by their country of origin, such as Turkey, are more relevant.